A 10-inning battle had just been waged on the softball diamond Saturday, a clash that enlivened Seguin's state-championship hopes while ending Edison's.

But Seguin second baseman Brooke Abrameit had moved beyond that as the squads shook hands following the Matadors' 8-3 victory that swept the best-of-3 series in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs.

On Abrameit's mind was Edison coach Mary Ann Villarreal, whose well-known battle with breast cancer had struck a cord with the Seguin senior.

Abrameit's mother, Deanne, is a six-year survivor of the disease.

“Can I have a hug, Coach?” Abrameit asked of Villarreal before leaning in and embracing for several seconds at the SAISD Sports Complex.

Just as the two parted ways, another Matador requested a hug. And another. And another.

Not a single Matador left without a hug.

“A moment like that,” Villarreal said with a pause. “I wanted to cry when I was going down the line. I kept on hugging all the girls. They all wanted to do it.

“They have a good heart. They have a real good heart.”

Win or lose, Edison's season-long run with school history has left such a mark with many opponents. The Bears (25-9) are believed to represent the school's only program in any sport to advance to the third round.

All the while, Villarreal, a 49-year-old mother of three, has been battling breast cancer that has spread to her lung, spine and brain.

Truth be told, Abrameit almost sounded sad they were the ones to end the Bears' magical run. Her sacrifice fly to right field drove in the first of Seguin's five runs in the 10th, all of which crossed with two outs.

“We knew about her whole story,” said Abrameit, who along with her teammates wore pink ribbons on her shoes in support of Villarreal.

“I'm proud of Edison and their coach.”

But someone had to lose, and freshman pitcher Ciara Luna's relief performance ensured it wasn't Seguin. Luna struck out six and didn't allow a run in 72/3 innings to help the Matadors (31-9) reach the fourth round against Corpus Christi Moody.

“I thought it was pretty good,” said a modest Luna of her winning effort.

An hour after the game, a car remained in the parking lot outside the stadium.

Written in shoe polish on the vehicle's back window was the message, “We love you coach,” signed, “softball girls!”